Chip Kelly Garners National Praise In Two In-Depth Pieces

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Chip Kelly is captivating the NFL world and it’s happening, just as Kelly likes it, fast.

Kelly, who was recently named the fifth most influential person in the league, is just beginning his second-year as Philadelphia Eagles head coach. In his first season, Kelly led the Eagles—who went 4-12 the previous season—to a 10-6 record and a NFC East division title. His offense was explosive and unconventional. And, despite the critics, it succeeded as the Eagles finished the season as the second best offense in the NFL.

He does things differently, like nothing the sport has ever seen before. He monitors sleeping, he changes eating habits, and listens to his players, who quickly fell in love with their new coach.

In ESPN the Magazine’s featured piece released on Thursday, Seth Wickersham chronicled LeSean McCoy’s feelings and relationship toward Kelly. McCoy was reluctant to buy in at-first, but now says of Kelly, “When he tells me to do something, I just do it.”

McCoy has even lost weight, saying he feels quicker than ever before. An E:60 special on McCoy’s relationship with Kelly will air on ESPN, on September 9th.

In a Grantland.com article also released on Thursday, Chris B. Brown explains how the NFL went from “doubting Kelly to trying to mimic his innovations.” Brown goes in depth in his analysis of Kelly’s offense, style, and practices.

One Oregon staff member, according to Brown’s piece, said this of Kelly:

“What people think Bill Belichick is like — thinks about football nonstop, all day, every day — is how Chip actually is. He’s a bachelor and has no kids. Football is what he’s about.”